SEA LIFE Aquarium at LEGOLAND California
I didn’t know LEGOLAND California had a SEA LIFE Aquarium until we arrived at the theme park. I’d been to a SEA LIFE Aquarium in Orlando, and knew my young son would have fun with the Dive Log and touch pool. We were all surprised with the amazing LEGO brick creations that decorated the tanks, both inside and out.
Here’s a rundown on what you can expect at the SEA LIFE Aquarium in LEGOLAND California.
Standout Aquarium Exhibits to Explore
According to the online map of SEA LIFE Aquarium at LEGOLAND California, there are 15 different exhibits, plus the gift shop at the end. The first exhibit not only contains fish, but also a little slide and treehouse for young kids to play in. It’s a great introduction to the aquarium for a younger crowd.
The route takes you through some of the California coastline, including San Francisco Harbor. You can see the aquatic life that calls the nearby coastline home.
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One of my favorite exhibit at any aquarium is the jellyfish. It’s so relaxing to watch them pulse and move around the tank. The lights used on the their tank, combined with the uniqueness of these creatures is fascinating.
Visitors tend to spend a bit of time in the tunnel, which takes you through a shark tank. You can see a variety of sharks and other marine life swim overhead. I always laugh at the underside of a manta ray with their beady eyes and small mouth.
Shark Mission was another neat exhibit. The large interactive touchscreens allow kids and adults to learn more about sharks. It’s pretty well designed to be educational and fun.
Grab a Dive Log: Interact and Learn
When you first arrive, be sure and grab a Dive Log. Then, during your visit, keep an eye out for each of the Dive Stations. There may be a line, so just wait a moment for your turn.
Line up the spot on your log with the embossing machine, then stamp the log. Once you’ve stamped all the spots, turn the Dive Log in at the gift shop for a little surprise. To be honest, don’t get your kids’ hopes up that the prize at the end will be SO AMAZING. It’s pretty simple, but it’s a free prize nonetheless.
Expect a Stop at the Touch Pool
A visit to any aquarium is not complete without stopping at the touch pool. A guide is usually there to make sure kids are using the proper technique – two fingers, and no grabbing.
Kids can enjoy feeling a starfish or sea cucumber. There’s a variety of other interesting fish and plants in the touch pool, so take your time and be courteous of other people exploring, to.
When you’re done, there is a hand-washing station on your way out of the room. I highly recommend washing your hands thoroughly before continuing on with your visit. Especially if your hands touched anything in the touch pool.
Know the Show Times
The aquarium offers a couple of shows each day. If you time your visit right, you’ll be able to learn from real marine experts. Your visit will likely take 1-2 hours, so double check the start times on their website before your visit so you can attend the show that interests you most.
On days when the aquarium closes late, there are additional evening shows as well.
TIDEPOOL ALLSTARS kicks off every day at noon. You’ll want to be at the California Coast exhibit area to learn more about how the animals who call a tidepool home protect themselves.
OCEAN DISCOVERY starts at 1 p.m. in the Shipwreck exhibit. Marine experts will teach you all about the animals that call that large tank home.
DIVE DISCOVERY occurs every day at 2 p.m. at the Shipwreck exhibit area. This one is a family favorite, so don’t show up late or you may not have a spot to sit. You’ll learn new facts about some aquatic life and see a diver hanging out in the tank.
RADICAL RAYS occurs every day at 3 p.m. at Ray Lagoon, which is on the upper floor. You’ll learn about sharks and rays.
The Details
Address: SEA LIFE Aquarium at LEGOLAND California Resort is east of the I-5 Freeway, just 30 minutes north of San Diego and one hour south of Anaheim. Exit the I-5 Freeway at Palomar Airport Road.
Cost: General admission is $25 per person. Children two and under are free. Hopper tickets, which include admission to both LEGOLAND California and SEA LIFE Aquarium are a better route to go, if you plan on visiting both venues. If you want to add in the LEGOLAND Water Parks (which I recommend), you’ll want to include that in your initial hopper ticket purchase. Prices range from $110 to $130, depending on ages, dates, and number of venues. Get Away Today often has discount tickets and deals, so be sure to check their online prices.
Hours: SEA LIFE Aquarium at LEGOLAND California opens at 11 a.m. Depending on the day of the week and season, the aquarium closes at 6, 7, or 8 p.m. Check their website for specific hours of operation based on when you plan to visit the aquarium.
Website: https://www.legoland.com/california/sea-life-aquarium/sea-life-aquarium-attractions/
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